Disclaimer: I don't own gundam wing, But I'm willing to sell my Gundamian Alloy for 2 million dollars!
Author Notes: ^^;; Longer author notes this time. Arigatou for everyone that reviewed. I noticed that some of you had questions about me getting the idea for the Gardens from FF8(Final Fantasy 8). The answer is yes and no. I made up the Garden plan without realizing it was like the one from FF8 till chapter two. ^^;;; So then I just called it a garden. Because in the pictures my friend and I sketched out it looks like a Hanging Garden building type thingy no da. And I also used the headmaster thing 'cause I hate the title Prinicpal. (Not to mention this author can't spell!! *nervous laughter*) Onto the fic!!!! Keep reading minna it gets better!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Chapter Six- Insanity's Eyes
" Can you still pilot with your arm?" Yusuke asked, as the both of them stepping into the elevator. He smashed the down button, sending the machine into motion.
Ikiiki faintly heard Yusuke's question, lose in a million of her own.
Yusuke frowned. " Ikiiki?"
The brown haired girl shook her head clearing her mind. She looked at Yusuke. " Hn?"
" You can still pilot right?" Yusuke asked, his voice sounding concerned.
" I've done it before with a broken arm, I'm sure I can do it again." She answered smirking slightly.
" You sure?" He asked.
" Dead sure."
The elevator the two teenagers where standing screeched to a sudden stop, the lights above their heads flickered then turned off. Covering the small elevator in pitch-black darkness.
" Is it just me. Or does this seem bad?" Yusuke asked.
" All units pay attention to this." A deep male voice rang out from the speaker in the elevator ceiling. " There are two young adults that have escaped from the prison area. Both are considered armed and dangerous. We have shut off the main power to the colony so that their escape will be hindered for a while. Capture them and bring them back alive to the central control dock. I repeat, capture both of them, do not kill, but bring them back to the central control dock."
Ikiiki nodded in the dark. " Just plain bad." She snorted. " So nice of them to cut off the power. Make a girl feel soooo special."
" Don't you just love the close colonies hospitality." Yusuke muttered, peering though the darkness at the ceiling trying to look for the emergency exit hatch.
" Here." Ikiiki flicked on a mini-mini flashlight with her good hand, and handed it to the Chinese boy.
" Alright!" Yusuke gladly took the flashlight but looked at Ikiiki funny. " Umm…just where do you keep all this stuff?" He asked.
Ikiiki looked up at the ceiling. " Why do you think I wear C cups? I've been taught always to be prepared." She asked. Leaving Yusuke silent and boggling. " Anyway." She cocked her head up. " There's the escape hatch."
Yusuke coughed, clearing all ecchi thoughts out of his male mind. (Author: *snicker*). " Slight problem." He muttered.
" Already figured out." Ikiiki stepped up next to Yusuke. " Gimme a boost." She said.
Yusuke once again screened all ecchi thoughts that those damn hormones made up.(Author: *keeps right on snickering*) "Okay." He said, he gently lifted the brunette high enough off the ground so she could reach the hatch.
" Oi, Yusuke keep that flashlight steady." Ikiiki complained after a minute of being blinded off and on. She looked back down. " Oh, never mind." She sweatdropped seeing that he had the flashlight in his mouth, since his arms where the only things keeping her suspended.
" Got it!" Ikiiki said, before climbing out onto the top of the elevator. Yusuke raised an eyebrow wondering how she did that with only one usable arm.
The brunette looked back down at him. " Need help getting up here?" She asked.
Yusuke shook his head, removing the flashlight from his mouth and putting it in his back pocket. He jumped and caught the edge of the opening, then pulled himself out onto the top of the elevator.
" There's only about five bullet's left in this clip." Yusuke informed readying the gun in his hand.
>[?" Well make sure you use those wisely, I don't have any more clips on me." Ikiiki said. They both silently moved to either side of the door, leading to some hallway on the lowest level. Yusuke looked over at Ikiiki, who nodded, then he pushed the auto-open button for the door.The Chinese boy stepped into clear sight fire, gun in hand. He looked up and down the hallway before motioning Ikiiki to follow. The both took off running down the left side of the hallway.
" Someone's coming!" Ikiiki hissed yanking Yusuke into an open hanger. The two pressed against the wall next to the door, as a group of guards ran by. Both didn't dare even breathe, let alone move or make a sound, until all the guards footsteps had faded into nothing.
" That was too close." Yusuke muttered.
" Hey…." Ikiiki said.
" Hey what?" The confused dark brown haired boy looked at her. She pointed in front of her.
" Our Gundams." She said.
" Hey!" Yusuke cheered, looking at the Gundams also. " Alright! Let's bust the hell out of here! Good ridden to this damn colony." And with that both the young pilot's headed to their Gundams.
" Are you really going to let them go that easily?" Fourteen asked in a hushed voice, so that the two teenagers wouldn't overhear her.
" No." One answered simply, he stepped over to the rail of the hanging walkway, that he and Fourteen where standing on. " I want to test their piloting abilities before we head back to Iolite, on earth."
" Don't get yourself killed One." Fourteen pleaded.
The cobalt eyed man glanced back at the dark blonde woman, before walking towards the hanger that held his own (Author: WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION!! DUM DUM DUMMMMM!!! >insane cackling< ) Gundam.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*" Oi, Solo. So what are you doing with an alien babe in the Garden?" Kazen asked. Talia glared at Kazen from under the cloak that was covering her.
" I wanted to stay dangit!" The princess declared. " Why are you such a idiot?" She asked.
" I just am dangit!" Kazen mimicked her annoyed tone, grinning.
Solo sweatdropped. " Why are you two constantly at eachother's throats?" He asked.
" We just are dangit!" Both yelled laughing.
" So….is this Kim nice?" Talia asked, listening to Kazen argue with one of the TPH over the intercom.
Solo sweatdropped at Kazen. " She's cool, don't worry." He said smiling reassuringly at Talia.
" Come on Meilin!" Kazen pleaded. " Open the door!"
" Say the password blue boy!" Meilin yelled back.
" You know it's me!" Kazen sweatdropped. " And I don't want to sing." He whined.
" Excuse me!" Talia yelled. " We do really need to get in here. I'm sure Kazen will repay you-"
"- With a date." Solo cut in, grinning.
" With a what!?"
" Whoo!" Meilin cried. " Okies! Kazen you better keep your end of the deal!" And with that the door slid open. Meilin ran out and death glompped Kazen.
The platinum blue haired boy sent Solo and Talia a glare. " You hate me don't you?" He muttered.
Solo grinned more. " No way dude. We just hooked you up on a date!"
Talia grinned equally as wide as Solo, and flashed a V sign. " I wish you both the best of luck." She giggled. " You both make a cute couple."
" Wai! Wai!" Meilin cheered tightening her grip on Kazen, who just sweatdropped more and tried to pry her off again.
" Come on let's go see Kim." Solo said talking Talia's hand and leading her towards the office on the right side of the first large hanger.
The violet-eyed boy knocked on the office door loudly, then waited for an answer.
Talia was busy watching the argument between Fuami and Kajiko, who where throwing insults and tools at eachother.
" You over egotistic stupid blue haired bimbo!" Kajiko shrieked, throwing a monkey wrench at Fuami.
" Hey!" Fuami protested ducking. " I'm a guy. I can't be a bimbo!"
Kajiko only stuck her tongue out at the dark blue haired boy. " I don't care." She sneered.
" Well you're a freakishly bossy pink haired ditz!" Fuami yelled throwing a screwdriver at Kajiko.
" Baka!" Kajiko yelled.
" Idiot!" Fuami countered.
" Low-life!"
" Scum!"
" Pokemon lover!"
Fuami sneered at Kajiko. " That was low." He muttered. " Besides! Team Rocket rules!!" He grinned evilly, twirling his trademark rose in his hand." Telletubby worshiper!!"
" I only watched it once!! Uno times damnit!!!" Kajiko yelled. " You big meanie!!"
" Witch!"
" Warlock!"
" Bad Influence!"
" Playa!"
" Slut!"
" Yo momma!!"
" Shim!"
" Takes one to know one!"
" B*st*rd!"
" B*tch!"
Both continued throwing tools/weapons while the insults where used. They both stopped suddenly and glared heatedly at eachother.
" You want to go raid the fridge for some ice-cream?" Fuami asked, stopping the glaring contest.
" Sure!" The pink haired girl dropped the screwdriver she was preparing to hurl at Fuami. " What kind do you like?" She asked bouncing up next to Fuami, like the fight had never happened.
" Oh.. I dunno…Mint's the best I think." He answered thoughtfully.
" No way! Chocolate all the way!" Kajiko cheered waving her mini-fans from hammer space.
" Mint's much better!!" Fuami yelled whacking Kajiko with her own mini-fan. He started walking towards the back of the first hanger.
" Mint's all minty!! It's yucky!!" Kajiko protested bouncing after Fuami. Which was promptly followed by the scream of Nishou.
" Would you two stop fighting for a nano-second! For the love of kami!!" The multi-colored woman screamed from the second hanger.
" Love of paper!?" Both the arguers asked.
" What? I like paper! Got a problem with that!" Nishou yelled back.
" No!" Fuami and Kajiko yelled.
" Save the trees!" Hasame screamed. " Save the trees!!"
" Ah Hush up Hasame. Go hug a tree!" Nishou yelled.
Talia blinked. No way was she even going to touch that argument. Nuh huh, couldn't pay her all the gold of India. Just too out there. She looked back at Solo, frowning at the cloak that was covering her head, and eyes.
Solo shrugged at the still closed door, then opened it slightly. " Kim?" He asked poking his head in.
The red head woman, dress casually in a pair of jeans and a blue sweater, was found doubled over and coughing violently, her left hand was holding the old worn oak desk giving her some support to lean on.
" Kim!" Solo yelled rushing to her side. " Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
Kim waved her right hand at the braided boy, trying to calm his worry. Yet it didn't help and she broke out in another fit.
Talia came up behind Solo, her green eyes studying the pale woman in the coughing fit. She noticed the drops of blood on the red haired woman's hand, and frowned in concern.
"I'm fine!" Kim announced standing up again. " Just a cold! I'll take some medicine for it! Don't worry." She said smiling at Solo, who didn't look at all that swayed by the older woman's claim.
" That's one hell of a cold. You sure you're okay?" Solo asked.
Kim laughed waving her hand at the boy. " I never knew you as the worry wart type Solo!" She looked at Talia, who's face was still covered with the cloak. " Who's that?" She asked.
" I'm Talia." Talia said, uncovering her face. " Please to meet you, I've heard from Solo that your in charge of the people that built the new Gundams." She said politely.
If Kim was the fainting type, she would of probably been out cold on the ground by now. But no, she wasn't. She did raise her hand and covered her mouth, staring at Talia in shock.
" Y-Your not human are you…" Kim asked.
Talia shook her head. " Nope."
" Y-Your f-from that that ship!! That alien ship! Solo what the hell did- My god- Kain's gonna have a fit! Er….damn!" Kim stammered.
" Whoa chill." Solo sweatdropped.
Talia flashed another V sign. " I come in peace!" She said. " Unlike my father, I don't have anything against humans." She snuck a glance at Solo. " But, I'd like to apologize for his actions on taking Okatami's life."
" It's okay! I accept!" Kim looked quite flustered. " My.good..goddess…" The redhead walked around Talia. " Wow…alien in my office.. Who'd a thought. Your truly not here as a spy or something right?"
" Nope. If I was, I'd probably be requesting to see the Gundams about now." Talia answered.
" My god Solo you brought a alien to me!!" Kim cried before glomping Talia, who blinked hard then sweatdropped. " Wait until those fools at the UFO society hear this!!!" Cackled the red head.
Solo sweatdropped. " Told you she'd want to meet you." He laughed, looking at the princess try to get away from Kim.
" Eh..nice to meet you too..okay…need air….eeerrkk,…" Talia gasped.
" Kim!" The office door slammed open. Nishou blinked. " Er…I hate to disturb you glomping the blue skinned alien girl thing moment! But Yusuke and Ikiiki just like, stumbled in the back door! And like they're worse for ware! That didn't sound right! But don't be ecchi! And I dunno where their Gundams are!" She yelled saluting quickly.
" What?" Kim promptly lost all interest in Talia and rushed out the door. Nishou followed after her.
" Who are Ikiiki and Yusuke?" Talia asked, glad to be able to breathe again. For a sick woman, that Kim is strong. She thought sweatdropping.
" Friends of mine." Solo said, he grabbed Talia's hand and ran out the door, after Kim and Nishou. The four ran though the first and second hangers, Talia gazed at the large Gundams as she was dragged by them studying them intensely as she could
Kim blinked at the Chinese boy as she neared the back of the third hanger. " Yusuke…where's you shirt!?"" Back on Colony L07." Yusuke muttered, glancing up at Kim for a second before returning his gaze back at Ikiiki. Who was laid out on the ground unconscious.
Solo raised an eyebrow looks at Nishou. " When you said worse for ware. You don't really think?" He whispered.
" Aie! Solo no hentai!" Nishou whacked Solo over the head.
Yusuke sweatdropped. " Oi, it's not like that." He said. "I'll explain later. We gotta get Ikiiki to a hospital quickly!"
" What happened?" Mikomi asked walking up.
" Mikomi, go get Hotoki! And meet us in the first spare room on the side." Kim commanded.
Mikomi did a double take. " Uh, sure. But do you know…that there's a blue girl standing behind Solo?" She asked, causing Talia to sweatdrop.
" Just go!" Nishou ordered.
" Hai hai I'm going I'm going!" Mikomi said before jogging off yelling for Hotoki.
" Yusuke, are you strong enough to move her to one of the spare rooms?" Kim asked.
Yusuke nodded. " I'm not hurt that bad. Ikiiki got the worst of it." He said. " Besides I carried her here." He said, before picking up the brunette in his arms.
" So what happened?" Kim said, as the group headed towards the room at the other side of the hanger.
" Well, after we lost communication with you guys, the carrier crashed into the colony deck. We busted out of there and tried to find another carrier but they had guards and the guards aren't the friendly. They shot Ikiiki and broke her left arm, of course that was after she took down twenty-five of them." Yusuke explained.
" We got thrown in some cell for three days until this One, and Fourteen came and started questioning Ikiiki. Fourteen left and One threatened Ikiiki." He went on.
Solo pushed open the door, once they had reached the room and Yusuke walked in, followed by Kim, Talia, and Nishou. The Chinese boy set Ikiiki down on the bed and sat down in the chair next to the bed.
" We got out of the cell, and took our Gundams heading back to earth." Yusuke said. " Long story short. Ikiiki can't handle the Zero system yet, I had to fight her, not pleasant I tell you. And One and his pals aren't on the right side."
" How long?" Kim asked.
" Two hours non-stop." Yusuke sighed.
" Whaa!?" Solo blinked. " You're telling me. That Ikiiki fought against you for two straight hour's with a broken arm, and a gunshot wound?"
Yusuke shrugged. " She's was one pissed off chick, as Kazen would say." He muttered.
" What about this One guy? Who was he? Who'd he work for?" Kim asked, pacing the room.
" Whoa Kim slow down there. Don't overload the boy!" Nishou said, moving in front of the pacing blue eyed woman. " He's been though a lot. Let the boy breathe." She said.
Kim shook her head, her curly red hair bouncing with the movement. " Nishou this might mean the colonies know about the Gundams." She said.
" Oh, then do please panic for me also." Nishou sweatdropped.
" Add me to that list. 'Cause the colony knows, they even had them moved to another hanger, and they definitely had enough time to analyze the both." Yusuke said.
" Every Garden is seriously in danger now." Kim sighed starting to pace again. " If the Earth Sphere Alliance finds out about this…and then the people." She paused shaking her head slowly. " The people will turn against the Gardens if they know we still harbor mobil suits."
Talia shifted uneasily, watching the three silent but clearly worried, and disturbed humans in front of her. She didn't understand exactly what they where talking about, and she was partly glad. Because she knew that her race's actions probably had a hand in causing this.
Ikiiki decided to break the evil silence that had filled the room. She groaned stirring slightly, eyes fluttering.
" Ikiiki." Yusuke said, his voice half relieved half still worried. The Chinese boy got up and quickly knelt by the head of the simple bed the cobalt-eyed girl was lying on.
"Erk.." Nishou yanked the also relived Kim away from the bed. " Don't disturb the boy." She hissed in the redhead's ear, then pulled her out of the room.
Solo grinned, and followed the many-color haired woman out of the room. Talia raised an eyebrow at Yusuke before walking out after everyone else.
" Ack! Don't close the door! We can't hear anything if you do!" Nishou hissed putting her foot in the doorway, before Talia could close it all the way. All three of the humans crowded right by the door, apparently trying to eavesdrop on the pair inside.
" I can't hear anything." Solo whined in a hushed voice.
" Well if you'd shut up, maybe you would." Nishou glared at the braided boy.
Talia blinked. Apparently…they're all insane…She sweatdropped. " Ummm…." She started to say, but three hands waved at her cutting her off. " Ooookay..never mind.." the princess sweatdropped more.
Kim coughed, then groaned in annoyance as both Solo and Nishou glared worriedly at her. " Can't I cough?" She grumbled popping a cough drop in her mouth. " There… happy!?"
The two nodded.
" Sheesh.." Kim muttered…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Yusuke smiled at Ikiiki, extremely relieved that she was somewhat well. " It's okay. We're back on Earth." He said softly.
Ikiiki's fluttering eyes opened at the Chinese boy's words. " Yusuke…"
" Shh." Yusuke said tenderly. " Don't speak. You're pretty beat up. Don't worry though you'll be fine. Someone's coming to help you soon."
Ikiiki groaned ignoring Yusuke's command and looked over at him. Her vision was blurry but she was still able to make out the Chinese boy's deep brown warm eyes. " Yu..suke….Gomen…Gomen Nasai…"
She reached out with her right arm, the one that wasn't broken. And gently, weakly stroked his cheek. " D-Demo….Aisithetru.."
With that confessed, the young Japanese girl fell back into the cold arms of unconsciousness, her arm falling limply back onto the bed.
Yusuke blinked. ( Author: ! Wai Wai! Yu'man looks kawaii confused no da!!* glomps Yusuke plushie* )He blinked again. Well I wasn't expecting that. More like a slap in the face and her yelling at me. He thought.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*" Ahhhh Yusuke you sly dog!" Solo laughed pulling away from the door, grinning.
" Of all the girls.." Kim sweatdropped. " The one you'd think wouldn't fall in love…" She murmured before laughing.
Talia blinked. ( Author: Seems everyone's doing this * gets whacked by the reader* OKAY OKAY! I'll stop inputting myself with author notes! Just stop whacking me!! * sniffles before going back to writing * )
" I so missed something" The blue skinned alien muttered.
" Wai! Nurse Hotoki to the rescue!" The red haired girl yelled running up first-aid kit in hand, another one in the other hand. " Leave everything to me! I'm the best around! Well, when I get paid I am." She giggled.
" Somehow, I have this sinking feeling with her in charge. Makes me glad I'm not Ikiiki." Solo said sweatdropping.
Hotoki smacked the braided boy over the head with both first-aid kits. " Shut up braid boy! Your just mean no da!!" She wailed before walking into the room.
A few seconds later a valiantly protesting Yusuke was shoved out.
" And stay out! Dang males! You too, Miss. Smurffet! And Nishou and Kim!" Hotoki yelled, before slamming the door again.
" Miss. Smurffet?" Talia questioned.
Yusuke blinked. " Hey! There is a Smurffet standing next to Solo!" He said. " Taller than the ones on TV but still."
Talia frowned. " What the hell is a Smurffet?" She asked.
" Guess you don't have TV from where you come from huh?" Nishou laughed.
Kim suppressed a giggle watching Talia stare at Solo and Yusuke in confusion. She cleared her throat, after several unsuccessful attempts to explain what the new nick name for the alien was from Yusuke and Solo.
" We'll explain later. Now, we need to go talk to Headmaster Kain, and try to save the Garden." She smiled softly at Yusuke. " You, go get some rest. You've been though a lot in the past couple of days."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*The headmaster blinked at the four standing in front of his desk. Three human's once alien looking girl. He raised an eyebrow at the explanation Kim had just given him. Then sighed.
" I don't believe this." He swore under his breath. He looked at Talia. " So exactly why is your race invading earth?" He asked.
" I am still not totally clear on my fa-er King Iolite's plans for this planet." Talia began carefully. " You see our worl-" She was cut off by the headmaster.
" I just want to know if you're a spy damnit! Not a blasted world history!" The brown haired headmaster yelled.
Talia opened her mouth to reply, but was rudely cut off for a second time by a deafening explosion from the east wing of the Garden. Shaking the large office violently. A few of the pictures that were hanging on the cream painted wall fell to the floor, the breaking glass blending in with the explosion.
" What the hell?" Solo exclaimed regaining his balance.
Misora promptly burst into the room before anyone could start another conversation. The blonde clad in a bright pink shirt and a pair of black pants, slammed the door shut then threw herself against it breathing heavily.
" Misora?" All present nay Talia asked.
" What?" Misora yelled.
" What are you doing?" Headmaster Kain asked getting out from behind his desk and walking in front of it.
" Hiding!" Misora cried, looking out the door.
" From who?" Talia asked.
" Those blue elf smurf people. They like took over the whole east wing." Misora answered still scanning the hallway outside. " Merian said she would hold them back. That girl pissed off with a katana is dangerous." She closed the door and looked back at the five in the office. Her green blue eyes, checking to see if everyone was okay.
" I dunno what exactly is going on but I think those blue ali-" the blonde's words trailed off as her eyes fell on Talia. They grew wide as the petite girl took a deep breath and let out a eardrum shattering scream.
And it went on and on and on and on and..well you get the point.
" What did I do!?" Talia yelled covering her ears.
" Misora stop!" Solo yelled apparently trying to stuff his braid in his ear, to block out the scream.
It took Nishou, Kain and Kim a good while to shout down the screaming blonde. But eventually Misora's air supply ran out and the scream trailed off leaving the girl panting for air.
" What the hell was that for?!" Kain demanded.
Misora looked like she was going to faint, but she manage to still look innocent and bit her lip looking at the ground. " Well, the screaming is an old habit." She giggled, but looked up. " But..those people that took over the east wing..look exactly like her." She pointed a slim finger at Talia.
" Your joking right?" Talia gasped. " I don't think I told anyone. I certainly.." The alien's sentence dulled off into silence.
" Talia?" Solo asked.
Kim sighed. " I knew this was too good to be true." She looked at Talia with slightly hurt eyes. " You were lying the whole time huh?" She asked.
The alien princess didn't answer.
" Let me in damnit!" A familiar female voice yelled from outside of the office, breaking the unsettling silence that was choking the room.
Misora opened the door a little, and was pushed back against the wall. As a extremely pissed off Merian stormed in.
" My god!" Merian yelled. " I don't know how many frickkin ships those alien's got out there. Not to mention I had to fight my way though the whole eat wing." The Chinese girl ranted while looking at the dark orange blood, smeared on her katana in disgust.
" Ships?" Kim questioned.
" Big ships, look like they could each easily wipe out this whole island. I haven't even started on those mobil suit like things." Merian said.
Kain glared at Talia who had stepped back against the wall. " I guess that answered my question." He said icily.
" Hey, C'mon!" Solo protested. " You all haven't given her any chance to defend herself."
Merian walked over to Talia, pointing her katana at the alien's pale blue throat." Solo look outside. Hell look around you! Is that isn't enough proof then I don't know what." Merian glared at Talia while she yelled at the braided boy. Talia returned the glare levelly.
" I also forced some information from one of those Selecstains, before I took his life that is." Merian smirked. " Underneath that cloak of technology your all nothing but cowards." She sneered at Talia.
"And the same is said about you humans!" Talia spat nastily at Merian. She lifted her chin in a royal air looking down at the Chinese girl who was shorter than she. " Your all called the cowards of the universe, making war amongst yourselves, switching sides at the mere mention of money."
" Oh, well I'm honored." Merian growled pushing her katana against the blonde alien's skin, drawling a thin line of blood from the princess's neck. " If any of your people so much as touch a hair on my brother's head. I will hunt you down and kill you painfully." She snarled, then cocked her head back at Solo. " Tell him what injustice you have done against him and the whole human race. Or I will."
Emerald green eyes caught the confused violet pair. " I am a spy, a well trained one at that. I have no feelings for you whatsoever Solo Maxwell, and if you think I do than my acting is truly good. I despise the human race, and will do everything in my power to kill you all, as long as there is a breath in my body." The voice cold, lifeless, emotionless stated.
Author: PHEW!! Another chapter done...^^;; Hehe..The chapters get much better after this!